Youngblood // Sweet Pea

4

Jughead and Betty walked towards my locker, hand in hand. They had bright smiles on their faces, considering the news of the Jones' buying the Cooper house.

Betty handed me the local news paper that was printed off this morning. I smiled as I saw the article on the first page. The one Betty wrote and I co-written.

"This is amazing! Everyone's going to know."

Sweet Pea's warm arm wrapped around my waist. I listened to Jughead talk before the doors were thrown open by the farm freaks.

Evelyn and Kevin were leading the group right towards us.

"Betty? You want to release pur secrets with all the dirt we have on you? Two can play."

Evelyn turned, preparing for the rec room.

"Actually, I wrote and published it, but thanks." Evelyn turned, looking me up and down before walking closer.

Sweet Pea's arm went out to stop her from coming any closer. I've never been this close to country folk.

"We at the farm, like to dig for the truth. Count your lucky stars, Mina Gray."

She pushed passed us, the farm children following. The four of us stood watching the back of their heads as they walked.

"They won't find anything, I'm not scared."

Betty laughed as her and Jughead walked. Not saying as much as a word to us as they left.

"Are you coming to the new meeting spot to help clean?"

I nodded, brushing hair from his eyes. The bell rang above us, kids stomping around, to classes.

First period was weird because those new off brand serpents were in that class. They always gave me nasty looks.

I walked to the back. Toni was in the back, but Cheryl was up front. Finding it weird, I minded my own business.

The serpents walked in, some flicking things in my direction. Sweet Pea had offered to knock some sense into them. I kindly declined because violence was not my strong suit, I'm a changed woman.

Kevin and Evelyn came in singing, everyone except me broke out in a choreographed dance number.

The kids all stood, rushing to the auditorium, causing me to follow. Sweet Pea stood on stage, his flannel loose around his body.

I stood as people rushed by me. Rushing on stage, they sang and danced.

I sat in an auditorium seat, Sweet Pea was having the time of his beautful life. He fit in so well with everyone.

The excitement died down, causing the cast to disperse. I stood, walking to second period, meeting with Pea.

"Did you see me, love?"
"I did, you're amazing, Pea."

He grabbed my hand, walking us into class, sitting us down at desks next to each other.

The two classes went on until we had lunch, the theater students are aloud to rehearse after lunch until schools out.

Toni sat with us, since her and Cheryl split. She keep her eyes on Sweet Pea as he talked. I gave an off look before turning back to my lunch.

The bell rang, signalling us to next period. This was my last class of the day. The table got up and dispersed to go to class or the auditorium.

I walked Sweets to the auditorium as the hallways began to fill with kids. Pushing past, I made it to class with a few minutes to spare.

Class filled as the bell rang, causing the teacher to lecture us about the movie we were watching.

My phone had vibrated as the teacher turned off the lights. I waited for the teacher to sit down, before pulling out my phone.

Betty
Did you guys hear about Cheryl and Toni?

Jughead
No?

Betty
Big fight in the hallway. She started singing. Toni, Sweet Pea, and Peaches all went into the auditorium together. It did not look good.

Jughead
Mina's in this chat.....

Betty
Fuck

I placed my phone face down as a tear slid down my face. The phone continued to vibrate on the desk.

I wanted to leave, but I only had this period left. I felt things being flicked in my hair. Tears rushed down my face, the movie become blurred.

The bell finally rang after 50 long minutes. I grabbed my bag, rushing out the classroom.

Their stood the three, laughing and talking about something. Sweet Pea made eye contact with me, rushing towards me.

I rang to the office, a few steps ahead of him, signing out. Rushing out the front door and to the truck, Sweet Pea followed, with the protest of the office staff.

"Mina, wait."

I slid onto the seat, before starting the car and peeling out of the parking lot. I drove until I couldn't. My phone rang from the side pocket of my bag.

Sweet Pea

I turned the ringer off, before getting out of the truck. The rain pelted down onto my skin.

I had rid my jacket, the crying causing me to get hot quick. I leaned up against the bed of the truck. The rain felt good until some rat drove by quick, causing the water to get me soaked.

Crawling into the truck again, my wet clothes stuck to the faux leather seats. I started the truck back up, making a very illegal u-turn. The drive back to town, and back to my house was cold and wet.

Sweet Pea's bike sat in the driveway, signalling he was in the house, he had a key.

I slammed the door, marching up to the porch. I slid off my shoes, leaving them on the damp porch.

Opening the door, Sweet Pea sat on the couch, staring at nothing. He noticed me walking in the room, causing him to stand.

"I know about you, Toni, and Peaches."
His mouth gapped open, but he didn't say anything.

"I also know that you're not over Josie."

"Mina, do you hear yourself? You're going insane."

"Do you hear yourself? Betty and Jughead both saw the three of you go into that auditorium."

He stood quiet for a minute before opening his mouth to talk, but he had no words.

"Was it good?"
"What?"
"Was it good?"
"No, Toni didn't want to do anything."

Sighing loudly, getting water from the sink, I made direct eye contact before saying.

"Get the fuck out."